Aid Arrives

Writers: Paula
Date Posted: 22nd June 2017

Characters: Taren, Drumilla, Tamah
Description: Taren arrives to be reunited with his family.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 12, day 20 of Turn 8

The relief convoy from Dragonsfall Weyr landed near the refugees huddled on Weyr's plateau. Taren dismounted fom his ride with record breaking speed. He was in a hurry to find out how his family had fared. He had received two brief, hurriedly scribbled notes from Drumilla, one said: I'm okay, the other one: Mom's dead.

He heard a cry, "Thank Faranth, you came!", and then Drumilla just flew into his arms. He hug his little sister tight.

"Of course I did, I came with the help. What happened?" He nodded towards the group of dragons from Dragonsfall, now busily unloading supplies and his healer-team.

"It's been horrible. A volcano erupted at the sea bottom and caused tsunami and earthquakes."

"Sweet Ancients. How about mom? You said she died?"

"Yes, her heart failed. She survived the flood and the quakes only to have a heart attack," Drumilla sobbed against his shoulder. The stress, shock and the grief she had kept at bay now broke free.

Taren felt sorrow but he also felt secret relief: at least Dru was alright. She was his favourite. Actually, she was everyone's favourite, the little sister all of them adored. He let her cry against his shoulder for a while, knowing she needed it.

When her sobs seemed to dry out, he touched her cheek gently. "Come on, little one, we have work to do and people to help. We're healers."

~*~ much later, after nightfall ~* ~

Taren was carrying mugs and spoons when he sat down next to a mery little fire with an exhausted groan. He had been working without interruption for candlemarks. Until it had simply became too dark to see. Drumilla followed him, carrying two bowls of stew. She handed him one before sitting cross legged next to him.

"Did anybody bring anything to drink?" he asked.

"I did," Tamah limped to join them. He tossed him a skin.

"Thanks. How's Ondia and your kids, are they alright?" Taren asked and filled the mugs before passing them around.

"They are alright. E'mah broke his ankle, the little ones are scared but fine and Ondia is riding sweep along the coast," Tamah replied.

"Who's looking after the children then?" Drumilla asked.

"Dad. It keeps him dwelling on mother's death," Tamah replied. Which just reminded Taren that those two were full-siblings while he had different father. That was typical situation for Weyr-family.

Drumilla took a sip from the mug and started coughing, her eyes watering. "This is not water, what is it?"

Taren patted her back and sniffed his own mug. "Rotgut," he remarked and gulped down his own drink.

"Yeah, it's good for the nerves," Tamah said smugly.

"And eats a hole to your stomach," Drumilla wheezed. "I prefer to keep my guts intact," she said and passed the mug for her brothers. .

"Where did you get it?" Taren asked curiously.

"Harbourmaster's secret," Tamah replied mysteriously. "Like you didn't keep a stash of strong booze."

"Of course I do, strictly for medicinal purposes," Taren grinned. It felt odd, for once he and Tamah weren't bickering. The only bright side he could find in the whole disaster, it was bringing family members closer to each other.

"I think this counts as medical emergency," Tamah said and lifted his mug. "To our survival."

Last updated on the July 4th 2017

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Aid Arrives